I am at a loss

I met an area rabbi for the first time this morning. He shared his sacred space with me, his holy book with me. We planned this meeting last week before the shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburg. What a difference a week makes.

If God works in mysterious ways, then humans work in maddening ones. I didn’t want to be brought together over this. We share a smile but it is tinged with a familiar pain. We share a hug but we are holding on for dear life, precious life, fleeting life. Bagels with cream cheese and coffee are now mixed with incomprehensible sadness. Lighthearted conversation impossible now.

What were we going to talk about? What is there to say now? I am at a loss.

Tonight, I will share in lament and mourning with my Jewish brothers and sisters. I call upon you to share their grief as well because it is our grief as human beings. Share their loss because it is our loss. Cry out for us. Bow your heads with us, for all of us now.